Optical mechanical keyboard switch

Abstract

The invention discloses an optical mechanical keyboard switch which comprises a base, a button, an upper cover, a luminous body and a photosensitive element, a cavity I and a cavity II are arranged in the base, a shielding plate is arranged in the cavity II, the luminous body is arranged in a front cavity, the photosensitive element is arranged in a rear cavity, the button is arranged in the cavity I, the upper cover is connected with the base, and the upper cover is connected with the base. An elastic piece is connected between the button and the bottom wall of the first cavity, a communication opening is formed between the first cavity and the front cavity, the button is connected with a grating plate, the shielding plate is provided with two light holes, the photosensitive element is provided with two photoelectric sensors, the grating plate is provided with two light passing hole sets, each light passing hole set comprises a plurality of longitudinally-distributed light passing holes, and the light passing holes are communicated with the communication opening. The button is pressed to drive the grating plate to move downwards, and when the light passing hole corresponds to the light transmitting hole, the photoelectric sensor can receive light signals of the light emitting body, convert the light signals into electric signals and transmit the electric signals to the MCU. The structure can shorten the switch stroke, improve the reaction speed, judge the stroke direction, improve the overall consistency and prolong the service life of the switch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of keyboards, and in particular to an optical mechanical keyboard switch. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of technology, people have higher and higher requirements for keyboards. Especially with the development of the e-sports industry, the requirements for keyboard switch trigger travel, trigger time, trigger force, overall consistency and switch life are getting higher and higher.

[0003] Traditional keyboard switches achieve connection and disconnection through the contact and collision of positive and negative springs. The springs are affected by factors such as wear, oxidation, and corrosion, making their functions unstable. The keyboard switch button needs to be pressed down to the bottom to achieve the contact of the positive and negative springs. This results in a longer keyboard switch stroke and a slow keyboard switch response time.

[0004] Magnetic keyboard switches obtain travel information and output switch signals by sensing the size of magnetic flux, thus solving the functional instability caused by physical connection. However, due to unstable changes in magnetic induction, such as assembly errors, gaps, magnet angles, etc., the judgment of magnetic induction cannot be very accurate.

[0005] The infrared dual-tube keyboard switch realizes the switch signal by blocking the light source and turning the photosensitive element on and off, which solves the functional instability caused by physical connection, but it cannot change the switch stroke.

[0006] The analog infrared switch partially blocks the infrared signal through a trapezoidal shading sheet, and senses the strength of the infrared signal to determine the switch stroke. This solves the negative effects of the above three switches, but it has very high requirements for processing accuracy. Insufficient processing accuracy will lead to consistency errors, and the subsequent ADC circuit will lead to higher overall costs. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of the defects in the prior art, the present invention provides an optical mechanical keyboard switch, which can shorten the switch stroke, improve the reaction speed, determine the stroke direction, improve the overall consistency, and extend the life of the switch.

[0008] An optical mechanical keyboard switch comprises a base, a button, an upper cover, a light emitting body and a photosensitive element. The base has a cavity 1 and a cavity 2, a shield is arranged in the cavity 2, and the shield divides the cavity 2 into a rear cavity and a front cavity. The light emitting body is arranged in the front cavity, the photosensitive element is arranged in the rear cavity, and the button is arranged in the cavity 1. The upper cover is connected to the base, and an elastic member is connected between the button and the bottom wall of the cavity 1. The button movably penetrates the upper cover and can move downward. A connecting port is provided between the cavity 1 and the front cavity, and a grating plate is connected to the button, and the grating plate enters the front cavity. The grating plate is located between the light emitting body and the shield.

[0009] The shield is provided with two transversely distributed light-transmitting holes, the photosensitive element is provided with two photoelectric sensors, the two photoelectric sensors correspond to the two light-transmitting holes respectively, the grating plate is provided with two transversely distributed light-through hole groups, the light-through hole groups include a plurality of longitudinally distributed light-through holes, the heights of the two light-through hole groups are different, the light-through hole groups correspond to the light-transmitting holes one by one, in the initial state, the light-through hole groups are located above the light-transmitting holes, pressing the button drives the grating plate to move downward, when the light-through holes correspond to the light-transmitting holes, the photoelectric sensors can receive the light signals of the light-emitting body and convert them into electrical signals to transmit to the MCU.

[0010] Preferably, the height of the left light hole group is lower than the height of the right light hole group.

[0011] Preferably, the bottom wall of the button has a bottom cavity, the top wall of the bottom cavity is connected to the latch, the bottom wall of the cavity one is connected to the fixing cylinder, and the bottom end of the latch enters the fixing cylinder.

[0012] Preferably, the elastic member is a spring, and two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the top wall of the bottom cavity and the bottom wall of the cavity one.

[0013] Preferably, the side wall of the button is connected to a mounting plate, and the grating plate is connected to the mounting plate.

[0014] Preferably, a mounting groove is provided on the mounting plate, and the right end of the grating plate enters into the mounting groove.

[0015] Preferably, the base is connected to a fixing plate, the fixing plate has a slide groove with an open upper end, the button side wall is connected to a slider, the slider enters the slide groove, and the upper cover closes the upper end of the slide groove.

[0016] Preferably, the plurality of light holes in the light hole group are evenly distributed longitudinally.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: through the cooperation of various components in the present technical solution, in the initial state, the two light hole groups are respectively located above the two light-transmitting holes. When in use, the button is pressed downward to drive the grating plate to move downward. When the light hole moves downward to correspond to the light-transmitting hole, the photoelectric sensor can receive the light signal of the light-emitting body and convert the light signal into an electrical signal and transmit it to the MCU. The MCU can recognize the action of the button. In this way, the button does not need to be pressed down to the bottom. As long as the light hole corresponds to the light-transmitting hole, the MCU can receive the signal of the button being pressed. This shortens the button stroke, shortens the trigger time, and improves the reaction speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for the specific embodiments or the description of the prior art. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn according to the actual scale.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 It is the exploded structure diagram of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the upper cover and the button are removed in the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the bottom of the upper cover in the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the rear side with the upper cover, the light emitting body and the photosensitive element removed in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the front side with the upper cover, the light-emitting body and the photosensitive element removed in the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the grating plate in the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the shield in the present invention.

[0027] In the accompanying drawings, 1-base, 2-button, 3-elastic member, 4-upper cover, 5-illuminant, 6-grating plate, 7-shield, 8-photosensitive element, 9-cavity one, 10-rear cavity, 11-front cavity, 12-light-transmitting hole, 13-connecting port, 14-light-through hole, 15-bottom cavity, 16-latch, 17-fixing cylinder, 18-mounting plate, 19-fixing plate, 20-slide groove, 21-slider. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present invention are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and are therefore only used as examples, and cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the technical terms or scientific terms used in this application should have the common meanings understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] like Figure 1-8 As shown, an optical mechanical keyboard switch is provided in this embodiment, including a base 1, a button 2, an upper cover 4, a light emitting body 5 and a photosensitive element 8. The base 1 has a cavity 1 9 and a cavity 2, and a shield 7 is arranged in the cavity 2. The shield 7 divides the cavity 2 into a rear cavity 10 and a front cavity 11. The light emitting body 5 is arranged in the front cavity 11, and the photosensitive element 8 is arranged in the rear cavity 10. The button 2 is arranged in the cavity 1 9. The upper cover 4 is connected to the base 1, and an elastic member 3 is connected between the button 2 and the bottom wall of the cavity 1 9. The button 2 movably penetrates the upper cover 4 and can move downward. A connecting port 13 is provided between the cavity 1 9 and the front cavity 11. A grating plate 6 is connected to the button 2, and the grating plate 6 enters the front cavity 11. The grating plate 6 is located between the light emitting body 5 and the shield 7.

[0032] The shielding plate 7 is provided with two transversely distributed light-transmitting holes 12, and the photosensitive element 8 is provided with two photoelectric sensors, which correspond to the two light-transmitting holes 12 respectively. The grating plate 6 is provided with two transversely distributed light-through hole groups, and the light-through hole groups include a plurality of longitudinally distributed light-through holes 14. The heights of the two light-through hole groups are different, and the light-through hole groups correspond to the light-transmitting holes 12 one by one. In the initial state, the light-through hole groups are located above the light-transmitting holes 12. Pressing the button 2 drives the grating plate 6 to move downward. When the light-through holes 14 correspond to the light-transmitting holes 12, the photoelectric sensor can receive the light signal of the light-emitting body 5 and convert it into an electrical signal to transmit to the MCU.

[0033] In this embodiment, the light hole groups correspond to the light-transmitting holes 12 one by one, which means that the light holes 14 in the two light hole groups can correspond to the two light-transmitting holes 12 respectively during the downward movement. That is, the left light hole 14 can correspond to the left light-transmitting hole 12, and the right light hole 14 can correspond to the right light-transmitting hole 12.

[0034] In this embodiment, the height of the left light hole group is lower than that of the right light hole group. In this embodiment, the multiple light holes 14 in the light hole group are uniformly distributed longitudinally. In this embodiment, the height of the left light hole group is lower than that of the right light hole group, which means that from top to bottom, the height of the first light hole 14 in the left light hole group is lower than the height of the first light hole 14 in the right light hole group. The height of the second light hole 14 in the left light hole group is lower than the height of the second light hole 14 in the right light hole group. And so on. Specifically, it can be further defined that the height of the first light hole 14 in the left light hole group is higher than the height of the second light hole 14 in the right light hole group.

[0035] In this embodiment, the two light-transmitting holes 12 on the shielding plate 7 are at the same height.

[0036] In this embodiment, through the cooperation of various components, in the initial state, the two light hole groups are respectively located above the two light-transmitting holes 12. When in use, the button 2 is pressed downward to drive the grating plate 6 to move downward, and the grating plate 6 drives the light hole group to move downward. When the light hole 14 moves downward to correspond to the light-transmitting hole 12, the photoelectric sensor can receive the light signal of the light-emitting body 5 and convert the light signal into an electrical signal and transmit it to the MCU. The MCU can recognize the action of the button 2. In this way, the button 2 does not need to be pressed down to the bottom. When the light hole 14 corresponds to the light-transmitting hole 12, the MCU can receive the signal of the button being pressed. In this way, the stroke of the button 2 is shortened, the trigger time is shortened, and the reaction speed is improved.

[0037] When each light hole 14 corresponds to the light-transmitting hole 12, a signal can be triggered. In actual use, it can be set that, for example, when any light hole 14 in the left light hole group (for example, the third light hole 14 below) corresponds to the light-transmitting hole 12, that is, when the left photoelectric sensor receives the third light signal, the MCU responds, so that the user can set the button 2 stroke according to the trigger force that suits him or her and the actual needs.

[0038] In this embodiment, the mechanical structure of the grating plate 6 and the shield plate 7 can make the switches on the entire keyboard maintain consistency. Different from the spring contact reaction, this technical solution has no mechanical structure contact during reaction, so there is no wear and tear, which can improve the overall life.

[0039] Since the height of the left light hole group is lower than that of the right light hole group, the photosensitive element 8 has two photoelectric sensors, which correspond to the two light-transmitting holes 12 respectively. The photoelectric sensors can receive light signals and convert them into electrical signals to transmit to the MCU. When moving downward, the left light hole 14 corresponds to the light-transmitting hole 12 before the right light hole 14. During the upward movement, the right light hole 14 corresponds to the light-transmitting hole 12 before the left light hole 14. In this way, the MCU can determine the travel direction of the button 2 according to the order of the signals sent by the two photoelectric sensors on the photosensitive element 8. The MCU will respond only when the button 2 moves downward, and will not respond when the button 2 moves upward.

[0040] In the present embodiment, in the grating plate 6, the distance between two adjacent light holes 14 in the light hole group can be set according to user needs, so that the customer can customize any stroke between 0.05mm-4mm to trigger the switch response.

[0041] In this embodiment, the bottom wall of the button 2 has a bottom cavity 15, the top wall of the bottom cavity 15 is connected to the latch 16, the bottom wall of the cavity 9 is connected to the fixed cylinder 17, and the bottom end of the latch 16 enters the fixed cylinder 17. In this embodiment, the latch 16 is arranged to enter the fixed cylinder 17, which restricts the latch 16 to move only up and down, thereby ensuring the stability of the button 2 movement.

[0042] In this embodiment, the elastic member 3 is a spring, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the top wall of the bottom cavity 15 and the bottom wall of the cavity 9. In this embodiment, the elastic member 3 is set as a spring, and the spring is compressed during the downward movement of the button 2. When the external force disappears, the elastic restoring force of the spring is used to make the button 2 return to the initial position.

[0043] In this embodiment, the side wall of the button 2 is connected to the mounting plate 18, and the grating plate 6 is connected to the mounting plate 18. In this embodiment, the mounting plate 18 is provided with a mounting groove, and the right end of the grating plate 6 enters the mounting groove. In this embodiment, the side wall of the button 2 is connected to the mounting plate 18, and the mounting plate 18 is provided with a mounting groove. The right end of the grating plate 6 enters the mounting groove and is connected to the mounting plate 18, so as to realize the connection between the grating plate 6 and the button 2.

[0044] In this embodiment, the base 1 is connected with a fixing plate 19, and the fixing plate 19 has a slide groove 20 with an open upper end. The side wall of the button 2 is connected with a slider 21, and the slider 21 enters the slide groove 20. The upper cover 4 closes the upper end of the slide groove 20. In this embodiment, the slider 21 is provided to cooperate with the slide groove 20 to further improve the stability of the up and down movement of the button 2. At the same time, the upper cover 4 closes the top of the slide groove 20, limiting the highest position of the slider 21 and thus limiting the highest position of the button 2, so that the button 2 can return to the initial position when it rebounds after being pressed down.

[0045] Specifically, every four keyboard switches on the keyboard are connected to a shift register, and all the shift registers are connected to the MCU through cascade connection, which can greatly reduce the number of pins of the MCU.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein by equivalents. These modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and specification of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical mechanical keyboard switch, characterized in that: The invention comprises a base (1), a button (2), an upper cover (4), a light-emitting body (5) and a photosensitive element (8); the base (1) has a cavity 1 (9) and a cavity 2; a shield (7) is arranged in the cavity 2; the shield (7) divides the cavity 2 into a rear cavity (10) and a front cavity (11); the light-emitting body (5) is arranged in the front cavity (11); the photosensitive element (8) is arranged in the rear cavity (10); the button (2) is arranged in the cavity 1 (9); The upper cover (4) is connected to the base (1), an elastic member (3) is connected between the button (2) and the bottom wall of the cavity (9), the button (2) movably passes through the upper cover (4), the button (2) can move downward, a connecting port (13) is provided between the cavity (9) and the front cavity (11), a grating plate (6) is connected to the button (2), the grating plate (6) enters the front cavity (11), and the grating plate (6) is located between the light emitter (5) and the shielding plate (7), The shielding plate (7) is provided with two transversely distributed light-transmitting holes (12), the photosensitive element (8) is provided with two photoelectric sensors, the two photoelectric sensors respectively correspond to the two light-transmitting holes (12), the grating plate (6) is provided with two transversely distributed light-through hole groups, the light-through hole groups include a plurality of longitudinally distributed light-through holes (14), the heights of the two light-through hole groups are different, the light-through hole groups correspond to the light-transmitting holes (12) one by one, in the initial state, the light-through hole groups are located above the light-transmitting holes (12), pressing the button (2) drives the grating plate (6) to move downward, and when the light-through holes (14) correspond to the light-transmitting holes (12), the photoelectric sensors can receive the light signals of the light-emitting body (5) and convert them into electrical signals to transmit to the MCU.

2. The optical mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the left through hole group is lower than the height of the right through hole group.

3. The optical mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom wall of the button (2) has a bottom cavity (15), the top wall of the bottom cavity (15) is connected to a latch (16), the bottom wall of the cavity (9) is connected to a fixed cylinder (17), and the bottom end of the latch (16) enters the fixed cylinder (17).

4. The optical mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 3, characterized in that: The elastic member (3) is a spring, and two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the top wall of the bottom cavity (15) and the bottom wall of cavity one (9).

5. The optical mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side wall of the button (2) is connected to a mounting plate (18), and the grating plate (6) is connected to the mounting plate (18).

6. The optical mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 5, characterized in that: The mounting plate (18) is provided with a mounting groove, and the right end of the grating plate (6) enters the mounting groove.

7. The optical mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base (1) is connected to a fixing plate (19), the fixing plate (19) is provided with a slide groove (20) with an open upper end, the side wall of the button (2) is connected to a slider (21), the slider (21) enters the slide groove (20), and the upper cover (4) closes the upper end of the slide groove (20).

8. The optical mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of light holes (14) in the light hole group are evenly distributed in the longitudinal direction.

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